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A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority*, Inc. - Savannah Alumnae Chapter presents Y „ TABBEBIUMK fwl At the Savannah Civic Center Sunday, May 6, 2012- 5:00 RM. ~ for mure information calf (912) 232-6048 PRSRT STD U.S POSTAGE ■ PA1D i IT rl 1% Savannah. GA ■ ■ ■ ■ Permit No. 923 I “GEORGIA’S BEST WEEKLY’ 1805 MLK Jr. Blvd. Savannah, Ga 31415 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED abannaj) tribune May 2,2012- May 8,2012 • Vol. 41 No. 9 • 912-233-6128 • Fax: 912-233-6140 The Savannah Tribune Pays Tribute to Otis J. Brock, III By Tina A. Brown The Savannah Tribune Memories of Otis J. Brock, III brought about quiet tears, smiles and laugh ter as nearly 1,000 people, including local dignitaries, public officials and everyday folks, paid tribute to a beloved son of the city and friend of its children who suddenly passed away on April 24. There were no seats left in the ballroom at his memo rial service Saturday morn ing at his alma mater Savannah State University. Many people stretched along the walls and spilled into the hallway just to hear the acco lades, the musical selections and the eulogy. The word pillar comes to mind when describing Brock, who humbly accepted his role as a star balancing his career as a public servant with his family and commu nity. Brock’s life should be a wakeup call said, The Rev. Hosea Waters of Magnolia Baptist Church in Montezuma, who delivered the eulogy and read from the Book of Job, which reminded those in attendance about "The Brevity of Life.” The 41-year-old hus band of Nailah, father of young daughters Zuri, 4, and Zoe, 2, and a baby on the way; the son of Annette Kennedy Brock and Otis J. Brock Jr., and brother of Donna L. Brock, graduated from Johnson High School. He had dreams like most young men of becom ing a basketball player. Life had another playbook for young Brock, which required him to aptly juggle delicate assignments as chief operating officer for the Savannah-Chatham County public schools. Many in the communi ty knew him as the highest ranking African-American official in the school district calmly sorting out the dis trict’s finances, challenging transportation plans and school building projects at the microphone during school board meetings. They trusted him with multi-million dollar deals and he did so with humility even in the backdrop of angry parents. Superintendent Dr. Thomas B. Lockamy Jr., who said he loved Brock like a son, spoke of his abil ity to bridge communities. “Otis could walk into a room to make a presentation in front of angry people and at the end they’d all be leav ing the meeting hugging each other.” He was a man of char acter whose demeanor was consistently described the same way. “He’s always been a nice guy,” said Dionne Hoskins, the board representative for District 2. “The damage to the heart of this community was caused because he was an extreme ly kind person who was suc ceeding; and he wasn’t Continued on pg. 11 The Obamas Visit Fort Stewart President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama address the troops O n Friday April 27, 2012 President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, introduced by Sergeant Marshall, visited Fort Stewart to address educa tional institutions (for profit) that deceive and hurt mili tary personnel, veterans and their families. “One of the worst examples, is a college recruiter who had the nerve to visit a barracks at Camp Lejeune and enroll Marines with brain injuries —just for the money,” President Obama said. “These Marines had injuries so severe some of them couldn’t recall what courses the recruiter had signed them up for. That’s appalling. That’s disgraceful. It should never happen in America.” The president discussed deceptive practices by schools hungry for a share of the billions of dollars in fed eral educational subsidies for such people. During President Obama’s visit to Fort Stewart he signed an executive order to thwart these deceptive practices. The order requires schools to provide more precise and transparent information about their qualifications and financial aid programs, pro vide more counseling on these matters, strengthen regulations that dictate who can come on post and talk to service members. The execu tive order commands the Department of Veterans Continued on pg. 16 Thomas Announces Bid for Re-election for 8th District County Commission On Monday, April 30, 2012, at 11:00 am, the Vice Chairman and 8th District representative of the Chatham County Commission, Priscilla D. Thomas announced her bid for re-election for a 6th term. This historic re-election announcement took place on the steps of the Chatham County Old Courthouse, 124 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401. “As your elected offi cial, I will remain focused and continue to be engaged and work in partnership with others on a county-wide basis. We will continue to focus on economic develop ment and job creation to encourage investment in our community. We will also encourage the use of educa tional assets that are very critical to this county,” Thomas said. Thomas added. “Personally, I am a strong advocate for education, maintaining a strong stan dard of excellence. It is also my desire to complete those projects that we have already started. I will continue to provide the leadership in getting this done. I appreci ate your continued support. Let us go forth and claim victory, “One More Time.” Commissioner Thomas, is the Vice Chair of the Chatham County Commission and is currently the longest serving Chatham County Commissioner, now in her 22nd year. Commissioner Thomas is the recipient of honors and awards, including, most recently, the National Association of Counties County Courthouse Award (the $5,000 award was used to create the Priscilla D. Thomas Scholarship at Savannah State University), the Church Women United’s Human Rights Award; the National Forum For Black Public Administrators 2009 Marks of Excellence Award and the prestigious honor of having the former Wheathill Road in Garden City desig nated and re-named as Priscilla D. Thomas Way. Commissioner Thomas is internationally known as a advocate for young people. She is the founder of the Summer Bonanza Partnership, Inc., which annually serves over 250 Chatham County youth, ages 8-14. In 1992, Dr. Thomas founded, the Chatham County Youth Commission, which now boasts over 400 graduates and duplicated programs across the country. ank tate arver President amee IJcLuiiber P>7] Lmus u. Towner Founder .ind t t Frcadatil 85 Years o FOIC LENDER